PabNooooo

It wasn’t a fun slate of pitchers, so why not, I said, why not go with Pablo Lopez as my Call Boy? Well 3.0 IP, 10 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks is a good reason not to. Oooooooof, what a nightmare. Funny, I was suggesting that PabLo’s ERA floor for the year would be hovering a 4.00 ERA, then corrected it to be 4.20 or so, and his near 6.00 ERA is cackling away. Fun times. Anyway, obviously some horrible luck here (3 HRs on 3 flyballs, .583 BABIP), but at the same time, we haven’t really seen PabLo perform at the level we know he’s capable of just yet. I’d say this moving forward: At some point this year, I expect his curveball to sit bottom of the zone, fastball move in-and-out, with changeups missing plenty of bats. You can chase it now if you want – this night is a dire moment, not dire stretch – but in standard leagues, just wait until he showcases the full skill set and then jump on board. Some will want to label him as a Cherry Bomb, but I don’t really see it that way. I think once he develops properly, he’ll be a more consistent arm. It’s just not here yet so we’re throwing our hands up. I guess that is a Cherry Bomb, but you see the difference, right? Please? I NEED YOUR VALIDATION. Streaming Record: 23-18.

Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:

Luis Castillo – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 11 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Pitching in Oracle Park may be the best possible matchup for Castillo and he crushed it. JUST LOOK AT THIS PLOT. Green at the bottom so perfectly. He’s The Prince That Was Promised. Seriously, 24 Whiffs for a Gallows Pole is STUPID.

Gio Gonzalez – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Nothing like a 1.69 ERA to start the year as a way to say “hey, why wasn’t I signed earlier?” Problem is that it comes with a 4.14 SIERA via a .250 BABIP and 0% HR/FB rate. Good to see him survive this test against the Cubs, but I really can’t endorse faith in Gio unless you’re really desperate.

Kenta Maeda – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Oh this is ridiculous. So here I was last week saying that Maeda could be out of a job soon, theoretically, since he’s been pitching poorly and Stripling/Urias are waiting in the wings. So what does Maeda do? Have his best start of the year of course! 23/86 CSW isn’t encouraging, but the low walks and solid plot nibble around the glove-side corner was a pleasant sight. So great, if you dropped him – which I 100% get – I wouldn’t pick him up again if you don’t have room, but if there’s a clear roster spot, sure, go after Maeda for his next start against the Reds. Looks like he’s certainly earned that one.

Jake Odorizzi – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. And the Rizzi keeps on sizzlin’. That doesn’t work. YOU DON’T WORK! Seriously, can you stop living on my couch. THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES. Just like guys that have to face Odorizzi right now. See, I brought it back. More high heat = 10% whiff rate on four-seamers, I’ll take that. Only six deuces, though, and a 22/95 CSW is kinda blegh. But hey, the Tigers and things worked well. Keep on starting him.

Dereck Rodriguez – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Oh hey, D-Rop wasn’t so bad here…save for a 1.80 WHIP and just 2 Ks. Womp womp.

Eduardo Rodriguez – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Just like Castillo, Erod was feeling his changeup yesterday, earning 8/26 whiffs. The other stuff was good enough for the pitch and that’s all we’re every really hoping for from his cutter and fastball. Keep on keeping on.

Justin Verlander – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Without looking, would you say that Verlander has a better or worse ERA than 2018 thus far? Answer: it’s .01 better with a 2.51 with a 0.82 WHIP and lower strikeout rate at a paltry 30.6% rate. Atta boy.

Homer Bailey – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s a bit messy and middling from Bailey, but that’s pretty much every night I decide to enjoy some Bailey’s. It may sound like a good idea at times, but overall you’re thinking “yeah, bad choice.”

Zack Greinke – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Here’s the funny thing, I think Greinke is going to be used as a tool to call out “ageists” entering next year’s drafts…only for Greinke to finally slow down in 2020. Baseball is so romantic.

Daniel Hudson – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. Hudson was the opener in a bullpen game, so WE DONE HERE.

Julio Teheran – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Yeah, okay. He’s been more helpful that hurting your teams this year, just don’t go nuts against decent offenses and I think I’m fine with you rostering Teheran. See? I’m an emotional man, not a blind man.

Adam Wainwright – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. Despite the pedestrian numbers that we certainly anticipated, I’m amazed at how much of a Cherry Bomb Waino has been this season. Three starts of 1 ER, a pair of 8+ K games…but also a terrible sub 7% whiff rate. And you know, it’s really just one terrible 6 ER outing last time (and his poor season opener) that has dragged down his year. So what, pick him up? Ha, please don’t. It’s just…weird. Like a moment where you jump above the clouds before returning to the storm. Take a moment and appreciate the sun and stretching across the blanketed sky.

Trevor Williams – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Nothing like Williams to allow 10 baserunners but allow just 1 ER. Ain’t nothing like it, earning a 90% LOB rate and 4.24 xFIP (I don’t have the SIERA) for the outing. Good rebound I guess from the 9 ER in his last two games, still don’t want to trust it if I don’t have to.

Cody Anderson – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. How can you start Mr. Anderson if you cannot…speak?

Trevor Cahill – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Look at that, Cahill did well! Oh. Blame it on the Orioles. Still, he took advantage…with just 6 whiffs on 78 pitches. Yeaaaaaaah I’m not jumping on this train.

German Marquez – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Hey, this was in Coors! 35/102 CSW, 14 whiffs on 48 breakers, but his fastball is a bit too hittable. I feel like he’d win the Cy Young if he played for the Indians. Keep on starting him, of course.

Frankie Montas – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. So the Indians are far from a strong offense, but props to Montas for taking advantage here, albeit one ER from a VPQS. I love that his slider is earning whiffs – 7/23 – though I really want that splitter to take shape more often, while keeping sinkers up. It’s okay if they fall low, just avoid thigh high, okay? MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

Zack Wheeler – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks. Zack was back and racked up the strikeouts as his fastball say 96-97. I’ll take it over the 95 we’ve seen in his poor outings. 38/107 CSW with 18 whiffs is a lovely thing, even if he faced the Fish. Just give me two more of these and that AGA label is yours again as he’s fanned 33 across three of his last four starts.

Domingo German – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s not the prettiest start we’ve seen from Domingo, but that’s a 2.70 ERA and his seventh Win in eight games this year (one dub came in his sole relief appearance). Crazy. Changeup is getting plenty better – 11/16 CSW! – and his curveball is still dope. I’m amazed by how high he is on The List, but I really don’t have a choice right now. Dude is so hot right now.

Tyler Glasnow – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. This was filled with horrid luck for Glasnow, but the worst was removing himself from the game with a “forearm strain.” THIS YEAR IS THE WORST. I’m serious, I know there was “The Plague of the 17” back in 2017, but this is absolutely stupid now. The current assessment is “4-6 weeks” for Glasnow and here’s the hoping you sold high (not that it was necessarily the right thing to do!).

Lance Lynn – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. We know Lynn has it in him to be a strikeout guy out of nowhere and it’s maddening…or useful? Just consider Lynn as a dart throw when falling far behind in Ks for the week. Don’t create any sort of trust or anything.

Jose Quintana – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. Against the Brewers, this is fine. I’m still not sold that Quintana is going to have a full redemption of a season, but this is fine and you’re going to keep starting him.

Anibal Sanchez – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Did you realize Anibal has a 1.68 WHIP this year? Shoutout to the split-change that has gone from a 14.8 pVal to a -4.5 this year. You’re crazy for this one!

Jake Arrieta – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Ahhhh the life of a true Toby. When you hear people say Arrieta has figured it out, just shake your head. No, you say, looking down and inward. You know the pain he’s caused, the turmoil he endures with each pitch, fighting his mechanics and hoping the ball goes where he wants it to. Things will never be what they were. You’re doing your best to accept it, hoping you have the strength to ignore the naive idealism in front of you. I have to be strong.

Dylan Covey – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks. Remember kids, Don’t Covey Thy Dylan.

Tyson Ross – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Ross hasn’t been good since his no-hitter attempt last year and we all watched, knowing an arm was dying in front of us. It was truly an event.

Dan Straily – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Well, yeah, it’s Straily. What did you expect, 2016?

Erik Swanson – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Erik already had his Swansong and now he doesn’t produce hits anymore.

Eric Lauer – 3.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. There’s a reason his nickname is El. O. L. – Eric Lauer Only Losses. Just look at those ratios and one strikeout?! HAISTFMFWT?!

Today’s Streamer

For those unaware, I’m forced to make my Streamer picks under the condition of sub 20% owned in Fantasy Pros’ consolidated ownership rates.

 

Michael Pineda vs. Detroit Tigers – It’s a double-header and all of my favorites – Tony Disco, Turnbull, Perez – are well above the 20% threshold now. Womp womp. Pineda’s slider hasn’t been terrible during his rough stretch, so I’ll take the chance it works against Detroit.

 

Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Lucas Giolito vs. Toronto Blue Jays – The Jays are bad and feel bad and Giolito is looking solid.

 

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Jonathan Loaisiga vs. Baltimore Orioles – I’m lucky to have a variety of choices for a 7-game Monday, and I’ll go with Loaisiga surviving 5+ with solid stuff against the O’s. Could have gone with Reynaldo Lopez against the Indians and I’d go with Brad Peacock vs. the Tigers, but he’s most likely gone after his last start.

 

Game of the Day

 

Max Scherzer vs. Walker Buehler – Well ain’t this a fun game.

 

(Photo by Juan Salas/Icon Sportswire)